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How does your IA-1 sound?

New MessageHow does your IA-1 sound? (modified 0 times) majormojo
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I tried playing some MP3's on my Jailbaited IA-1, and I'm very disappointed with the sound quality. Using mpg123, with the files on an NFS share on another machine. I don't expect much from the internal speaker, but even with headphones the sound is really tinny and distorted, sort of 'crackly'. I can't see this being useful as an MP3 jukebox appliance which I was hoping to do. Is this just 'normal' for these things? What kind of sound quality should we expect from it? Also, even though my MP3's are all VBR encoded (LAME -r3mix), mpg123 reports them as 128kbps. I also tried with some files that are true 128kbps CBR, same result.

TIA

01-30-2002 13:31:12

New MessageRE:How does your IA-1 sound? (modified 0 times) GeoDude
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I think your problem is the mixer settings. Try something like:

/usr/bin/mixer pcm 80
/usr/bin/mixer vol 30

Sound quailty should be fine. The crackling is the sound being clipped.

Play with it and let us know what mixer settings work best :)

01-30-2002 14:41:29

New MessageRE:How does your IA-1 sound? (modified 0 times) RatBastard
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I use a USB audio DAC. I have now purchased two, and recommended the purchase of 4 more. I am EXTREMELY happy with the sound quality. It easily rivals good quality component CD players, and certainly kicks the crud out of your typical pc sound card.

I've used it under linux, and it just works.

here is the link. I have no experience with their optical version.

(No, I don't work for them, neither do any friends or family; I just think it's a really elegant product... no batteries, no moving parts, no blinking lights, no drivers... it just works)

01-30-2002 17:55:55

New MessageRE:How does your IA-1 sound? (modified 0 times) majormojo
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Thanks GeoDude, that did the trick. The settings that seem to sound best for me are:

pcm 85
vol 75

I'm using it with a set of powered speakers and the sound is fine. Previously, there was no way I was going to even attempt to amplify the crap it was emitting. 8-)

01-30-2002 18:57:59

New MessageRE:How does your IA-1 sound? (modified 0 times) mezman
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Maybe I'm just a linux newbe, I was wondering how I can execute mpg123 from netscape? I tried setting the application in preferences, but the setting didn't stick, and was diverted to the file save-as prompt. Then I logged in as root and tried running mpg123 from the command prompt using a URL to another machine on my local network where my MP3 files are and that worked. When I tried the same thing logged in as a user, I got permission denied. I can't make volume or pcm settings either.

I guess there must be some type of admin function to remedy this. Can any of you gurus help me?

-Chris

02-02-2002 22:07:25

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